Everything is fixable

Skimming today’s headlines, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the pressures facing our health system. Stories of staff shortages, an aging population, and declining public trust can paint a picture of a system under strain.

But that’s not the whole story.

Beneath the challenges, something else is taking shape: a belief that meaningful change is not only possible, but already underway.

“We have challenges, but most importantly, they’re all solvable,” said André Picard, award-winning national health writer, who spoke at the Thrive at Home Showcase earlier this year.

“It’s not time to throw in the towel – it’s time to be more bold and more hopeful.”

That spirit is what’s driving a growing movement across Saskatchewan. In April 2024, we formed the Thrive at Home Action Community, bringing people together to reimagine how we support older adults to live well, safely, and independently at home.

Through this network, we’re building relationships that make progress possible by connecting partners, sharing what works, and uncovering new opportunities to support healthy aging in Saskatchewan.

Piloting an evidence-based approach

As seasoned system conveners, we looked to evidence-based approaches to better understand which practices create the conditions for change in complex systems. One model that resonated for us is known as the Two Loop Model from the Berkana Institute. It’s a simple way to see how change unfolds in living, evolving systems, much like that of enabling aging in place.

This model reminds us that systems don’t shift all at once. The old ways wind down as new ideas emerge and spread. When we intentionally identify and connect innovators and promising practices, they form networks and communities of practice.  

The Berkana Institute Two Loop Model describes the nonlinear process of changing from an old system to a new one by embracing the power of emergence.

Bringing the Two Loops Model to life

Recognizing that change is inherently messy, Thrive at Home is intentionally grounded in a learning-by-doing approach. Instead of waiting for perfect plans, we’re actively testing ideas, gathering real-time feedback, and letting those insights shape our next steps.

This iterative approach helps us adapt quickly, respond to community needs, and continuously refine our efforts. We’re also strengthening how we evaluate the network itself – developing new ways to understand our network health, the strength of our connections, and how effectively we enable action.

Leading with evaluation

The Thrive at Home Action Community is growing and becoming more connected, with participants increasingly recognizing Thrive at Home as a practical, collaborative space for learning.

What we’re learning together

To mark the two-year anniversary of this work and our collective journey so far, we brought people together for the Thrive at Home Showcase on March 5. Throughout this invigorating session, we heard from community organizations, health system partners, government representatives, and those with lived experiences. Several themes emerged:

• We’re grounded in shared purpose
  The Showcase highlighted a community that believes in the same vision: supporting older adults to thrive at home through collective action.
  
  
• An ecosystem approach is essential
  Aging well is multifaceted. It depends on housing, transportation, safety, income, a sense of belonging, and social connection just as much as clinical care.
  
  
• Solutions are rooted in community and collaboration
  Across the province, communities are rising to the challenge – building trust in one another, sharing lessons learned, and testing volunteer-led, cross-sector innovations that no single group could achieve alone.
  
  
• People are hopeful for the journey ahead
  The stories shared throughout the day highlighted both the emotional weight and meaning of this work. Despite system pressures, the room was filled with courage, optimism, and a strong sense of commitment.

The challenges facing our health system are real, but so is the momentum to address them. Across Saskatchewan, people are stepping forward with new ideas, stronger partnerships, and a shared dedication to doing things differently.

As André Picard emphasized at the Thrive at Home Showcase: “Everything is fixable.”

For a deeper look inside the day’s discussions and stories of impact, check out the Thrive at Home Showcase Insights Report. Better yet, join in on the action by signing up for the Action Community and keep an eye out for upcoming blogs highlighting local initiatives and promising practices in the community!